Ottawa Transport Drivers' Union Votes To Strike

Ottawa, Ontario (AHN) - Unless the deadlock between OC Transpo and the Ottawa City government is resolved soon, bus drivers of the transit will strike beginning Dec. 10.

On Wednesday the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 279 placed the strike option on a vote, 98 percent of the union members said they favored a job walk off, according to Andre Cornellier, president of the union's local 279.

Discussions between the union and the city government bogged after both sides refused to reach a compromise on wage hikes.

With the union's decision for industrial action, Ottawa Mayor Larry O'Brien held an emergency meeting to draw up measures to minimize the negative effect of the strike on commuters and businesses. Among the measures the city is considering is declaring some roads one-way routes in anticipation of more residents using their private cars to go to the office.